the theme of alcoholism in the cask of amontillado a short story by edgar allan poe The cask of amontillado about the author edgar allan poe was born jan 19, 1809 and died oct 7 1849 in his forty years, he married, fought with he was an editor, poet, short story writer, critic, and lecturer what made poe so world reknowned was his ability to hold his readers in suspense along.